Friday, August 23, 2013

Why Replace Your Long Irons with Hybrid Golf Clubs?

Having trouble hitting your long golf irons? Perhaps it is time to consider buying a hybrid or two to replace clubs that no longer serve you well on the course. One of the most negative mental images is to believe, in advance, that you will mis-hit a club in your bag.

Why consider a hybrid? This combination club is a unique blend of iron and wood and has a bigger head which makes off-shots less of a regular occurence. I have already replaced my 4-iron with a similar-distance hybrid and my confidence level soars when I pick it out of the bag.

That being said, Golf for Beginners has put together a short list of the top hybrids on the market and a few golf tips to get you comfortable with your new clubs.


TOP GOLF Game Improvement HYBRID CLUBS

Adams Idea Tech V4 HybridsInstead of listing the top golf hybrid clubs for more advanced players, I thought it would be better to opt for a few choice golf clubs that should improve an average players' game.


1. Adams Idea Tech V4 Hybrids: Considered the easiest-to-hit hybrids that Adams Golf has engineered, Adams Golf website says, "same CT of a driver, which delivers higher ball speeds, more forgiveness and more distance."
Ping i20 hybrids


2. Although Ping Golf considers all of their hybrids as "game improvement" clubs, the Ping i20's were given a "thumbs-up" on Golf Digest's 2012 Hot List for their forgiveness compact head and low CG.


Golf Tips for Hitting Your New Hybrids

1. GolfOutletUSA.com states, "When choosing a hybrid you should always stick to one where the shaft is similar in length to your current irons. Also stick to a hybrid where the shaft is made from the same material as your other clubs, this will ensure you’re not having to change your swing every time you use a new club.  Also choose a club that is aesthetically pleasing to you, this will build up your confidence."

2. Paula Creamer carries no golf club longer than a 5-iron, having replaced her longer irons with hybrids so she is an expert on how to hit a hybrid! Creamer says that, since the shaft of the hybrid is only slightly longer than the corresponding iron, it is important to hit the hybrid like an iron, not a wood.


Paula Creamer hitting hybrids

"Play the ball in the middle of your stance, and keep your weight centered. Your hands should be in line with the ball, and your shoulders, hips and feet should be square to your target. As you take the club back and swing through, make sure to hit the ball with a descending blow--do not use a sweeping motion, as you would with a fairway wood." ...Paula Creamer

3. Finally, after you have tried them out on the driving range and believe that your new hybrid golf clubs are truly easier-to-hit than your long irons (which is probably the reason you tucked them into your old clubs bag in the first place), your confidence will soar. A hybrid golf club will help you achieve a higher ball trajectory with a nice, slow --- smooth --- swing which will help ensure solid contact more often.


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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Watch as Jamie Sadlowski Breaks the Golf Channel Simulator

While warming up on the set of The Golf Fix, Long drive champ Jamie Sadlowski breaks the Golf Channel simulator again!

Does he do it with a driver? 

NO - this time the Canadian professional long driver, golfer and ice hockey player from St. Paul, Alberta smashes the simulator with just a 7-iron!

Sadlowski and the longest drivers in the world will attempt to qualify and compete in the RE/MAX WORLD LONG DRIVE CHAMPIONSHIP, which will air live on Golf Channel from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 30.

"The championship golf tee would be placed in a section of seats that will accommodate thousands of fans. A special platform will be constructed in the grandstand on turn four approximately 75 feet above the track, setting up a straight shot to the natural grass infield. Finalists will be competing on a 50-yard grid that stretches well over 400 yards," mentioned Art Sellinger, CEO and owner of LDA.

See below in this YouTube.com video what most golfers only dream of accomplishing...that is hitting a 7-iron so long that they don't NEED a driver!



...not a http://poorgolfswing.com/ by any stretch of the imagination...

The Golf Fix Airs Mondays at 7PM ET on The Golf Channel 
I think it would be a great idea for Michael Breed to invite ME appear on The Golf Fix, don't you? ...Let Golf Channel know!!

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners, @GolfChannel and on our Facebook page.

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Why You Should Play Golf Without a Driver


If you find your driver to be erratic at times (and who doesn't), the next time you play a round of golf why not consider leaving that new Nike Covert VR S or Callaway X Hot Pro at home? Why not just tuck it away in the trunk of your car you may ask


golf ironsSwinging well at the driving range and feeling super confident, you just might be tempted to grab the Big Head instead of sticking to a plan and playing your round with the other thirteen clubs in your bag, maybe adding another hybrid or wedge to the mix.


The great Ben Hogan said, "Golf is not a game of good shots... It's a game of bad shots." He further commented, "You only hit a straight ball by accident. The ball is going to move right or left every time you hit it, so you had better make it go one way or the other." 

With a driver in hand, the chances of hitting your shot more wayward than intended could mean the difference between edge of the first cut of rough and being in the woods so, why take the risk during every round?

Whether you are a golf beginner or more experienced amateur, regularly hitting wayward shots with a less-than-reliable club doesn't enhance your time on the course and allows negative thoughts to creep into your mind and into your game.

Instead of attempting to regain composure after hitting a bad driver shot off of the tee, Golf for Beginners offers a few benefits to leaving your driver at home.



1. A better chance to get ball in fairway:

If your driver is erratic, you certainly don't want it to cost you strokes during a round of golf...and it will! If your three, five-wood or even  longer iron gets you into the fairway, practice with your driver off-course and play with your go-to clubs during the round.


Tiger-Woods_2013-Open

When Tiger Woods was asked after his second round on Muirfield how many times he used his driver up to that point in The Open he exclaimed, "I hit about eight to 10..." finishing his deadpan comment with, "on the range." The result was a tie for the lead going into the weekend and with Woods being "in a good spot."

2. Confidence booster: You have to admit that, when your golf ball lands safely in the fairway, you feel ready, and eager, to tackle the next shot...you look forward to it!

3. Chance to Practice Longer Approach Shots: With the driver out of your bag, you will be pressed to use different golf clubs to get down to the green. A three-wood on the tee will leave a longer approach shot so dust off the hybrids (which are easy and fun to hit!)


4. More fun: Playing golf should be fun, whether you are out in a foursome or in a tournament. Wouldn't it be great to beat your buddies knowing that you didn't need your driver to win? It's also a great talking point for the 19th hole!




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photo credit: Golfweek.com, 123rf.com